Electric switch



March 7, 1933. A, HALL ELECTRIC SWITCH Original Filed Jan. 2l, 1929 i Patented Mar. 7, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ARTHUR HALL, OF OAK PARK, ILLINOIS, ASSIG-NOR TO YAXLEY MANUFACTURING COMPANY, F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION 0F ILLINOIS ELECTRIC SWITCH Application.l ed January 21, 1929, Serial No. 333,815. Renewed July 27, 1932.

My invention relates to electric switches which employ contact bearing switch arms and sets of complemental contacts with respect to which the switch arms are movable. The invention has for its object the provision of means for preventing the contact upon such a switch arm from establishing engagement with a succeeding contact before breaking engagement with a preceding contact, a result which is accomplished by a device which operates upon the arm as it is being shifted from one contact to the next to move the contact upon the arm away from the plane-of the contacts complemental thereto. This device is preferably in the form of a cam upon which the switch arm rides to effect the desired result.

The invention will be more fully explained with reference to the accompanying drawing in which Fig. 1 is a face view of a switch constructed in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 is a sectional view on line 2-2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a sectional View on line 3-3 of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a side view, on a smaller scale than that employed in the previous figures but approximating the size of an actual'switch; Fig. 5 is a perspective view illustrating two parts of the switchstructure in separate relation; Fig. 6 is a view illustrating the parts that appear in Fig. 3 but with more of them appearing in elevation and the switch arm being shown in a changed position; and Fig. 7 illustrates one circuit arrangement which may be governed by the switch of my invention.

The switch illustrated is inclusive of a switch arm stamped out of resilient sheet metal and having a hub portion 1 from which two lugs 2 are struck. These lugs are received within notches 3 which are formed in one end of an actuating shaft 4 so that as this shaft is turned` the switch arm is turned. For convenience the other end of the shaft may have a knob secured thereto by means of the set screw 6..V The shaft is journaled within a bearing 7. This bearing is in the form of a sleeve having external threads upon which a nut 8 is screwed, this nut serving to clamp the .mounting plate 9 between it and the shoulder 10 on the bearing. A spacing plate 11 is clamped between the mounting 9 and the disc 12 which carries the contacts 13 which are thus stationarily mounted. rllhe contacts 13 are arranged in a circular row which is concentric with the shaft 4. A number of spaced apart holes 14 are formed through the disc 12 in the same circle with the row of contacts 13. Said contacts are formed with prongs 15 which are passed through the adjacent holes 14 and are clinched against the side of the disc opposite the side at which said contacts are disposed'. The various contacts of the switch are suitably connected with the circuit that is to be governed by the switch, forv example as is shown in Fig. 7. The various contacts 18 are connected with the different sections of an inducing winding 16. One terminal of this Winding is connected with one terminal of the single phase alternating current source 17, the other terminal of this generator being connected with the outlet terminal 18 of the switch. The hub portion 1 of the switch arm is partially surrounded by an arcuate slot 19 .that is formed through the netal of the switch arm structure and which separates the hub portion of the switch arm from the switch arm part that extends from this hub portion to the outer end of the arm which is formed with a contact 20 that rides over the contacts. The arcuate slot 19 imparts further resilience to the switch arm to insure a maximum degree of spring pressure by the arm upon the contacts complemental thereto. l The hub portion of the arm is held in place by means of the head of a screw 21 which is screwed into the shaft 4 and serves to hold the lugs 2 in the notches 3. The out-` let contact 18 of the switch has a hub portion which is clamped, by the nut 8, between the shoulder 22 and the insulating disc 12. A ring 23 has its inner edge portion inturned and also clamped between the shoulder 22. The outer edge portion of this ring is serrated to provide cam forming teeth 24. The crowns of these teeth are radially aligned with the corresponding spaces between the contacts 13. The switch arm is formed with a ridge 25 which rides upon the teeth 24. The

lOfl

valleys 24 between the teeth are radially aligned with the centers of the contacts 13 and are of sufficient width to fully receive the ridge 25. en the ridge 25 is received in any such valley the contact 20 upon the switch arm is in full and unrestrained engagement with the corresponding contact. When 'the switch arm is turned to cause the ridge 25' to ride upon the adjacent sloping side of the succeedingitooth such tooth will raise the l v switch arm to bring the contact 20 thereon out of engagement with the contact 13 previously engaged thereby so that the vswitch arm is thus e'ectively separated from engagement with one contact'before entering into engagement with a succeeding Contact. By this construction the short circuiting of the sections of the inducing winding 16 is avoided as the switch arm is swung around its circle of rotation, this result being of particular importancein connection with certain devices of radio receiving circuits.

Changes may be made without departing from the invention.

kHaving thus described my invention, ll claim: c

1. A movable contactor for electric switches stamped from a sheet of resilient metal to form a hub and a contact carrying switch arm whose contact is offset with respect to the hub, the latter having key lugs struck therefrom at its center to engage in recesses in a switch operating shaft.

2. A movable contactor for electric switches stamped from a sheet of resilient metal to form a hub and a contact carrying switch arm whose contact is offset with re spect to the hub, 'the latter having key lugs struck therefrom at its center to engage in recesses in a switch operating shaft, and further having an arcuate slot therein between the switch arm and thecenter of the hub to enhance the resiliency of the switch arm. y

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name. v

ARTHUR HALL.. 

